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12 Virginia Resorts for Your Destination Wedding

Resorts are the perfect home base for your wedding weekend with plenty of room to house all your family and friends and activities for the whole gang. From the welcome party to the good-bye brunch, resorts are a one-stop-shop for you and your beau’s celebratory weekend. And, while you are there, why not just stay behind for the honeymoon?

A quick 20-minute jaunt from Charlottesville’s quaint downtown, Keswick Hall’s 600-acre Italianate-inspired estate offers a place for respite in Virginia’s bucolic wine country. Eight sites from the elegant ballroom to an al fresco celebration on the terrace give brides and grooms options for their ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. You don’t have to travel far for fun, as there are an array of activities for guests on the property — an award-winning golf course, tennis courts and spa. And just a stone’s throw from the property, there are more than two dozen wineries and historic sites like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to visit. An added bonus: Weekend events can be tailored around the bride and groom. For the ladies, a martini movie night, afternoon tea and day-of yoga class, while the gents can can enjoy a morning of fly-fishing, cocktails and cigars, along with a golf tournament.

THE BOAR’S HEAD INN | CHARLOTTESVILLE

With the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, this resort is just two miles west of downtown Charlottesville and has a rich history that spans nearly 300 years. The Boar’s Head property was originally part of Virginia’s first land grant in the 1730s; and in 1759, the boarding house Terrell’s Ordinary was built where the current-day inn is located. For ceremonies, exchange vows on the lawn or under the weeping willow tree, and enjoy dinner and dancing in one of the elegant ballrooms. With four onsite restaurants, there are options for a welcome reception, bridal luncheon, and after party. Or, if you are looking for something low-key with just you and your significant other, the resort’s elopement package includes a suite with a rose-petal turndown, three-course dinner with Champagne, small wedding cake, couple’s massage and breakfast-in-bed.

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Fifty miles west of Washington D.C., in Virginia’s wine and horse country, the Salamander Resort wows with its luxurious accommodations, exciting amenities and family-friendliness (think daily kids’ camp and tons of family activities!). Before the big day, get the party started early with activities like wine and painting, horseback riding, winery tours, and shopping on Middleburg’s Main Street. For celebrations that embrace rustic elegance, throw your nuptial soiree at the Stallion Barn or Equestrian Center. Or, for a garden party, say “I do” in the Culinary Garden, where the resort grows the herbs and vegetables that are incorporated into its farm-to-table cuisine. Of if you are looking for a space that is more cozy for an intimate ceremony or cocktail hour, celebrate in the wood-paneled library.

MASSANUTTEN RESORT | McGAHEYSVILLE

Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, and just a 30-minute drive from downtown Harrisonburg, this family-friendly resort offers a beautiful backdrop for nuptials all seasons of the year — from a rustic winter wedding to cheery summer soiree. With skiing in the winter, a waterpark to cool off in during the summer, along with tennis, golf, zip line, and mountain biking for the months in-between, your wedding crew doesn’t have to leave the resort to have a grand ol’ time. Guests can bunk at the hotel or make a four-bedroom condo their home base during the weekend. For the ceremony and reception, the resort can accommodate celebrations that range from intimate to large-scale.

An hour outside of downtown D.C. in Virginia’s wine country, this exclusive resort is filled with romance. Exchange vows on the terrace overlooking the Potomac River and celebrate your newlywed status in one of the exquisite ballrooms. Spa packages are available for the bridal party (complete with mimosas!) and the resort also happens to be one of Virginia’s top venues for Maharani weddings. Guests can enjoy the pool, tennis and golf, hiking and biking trails, along with a variety of restaurants at the resort. Nearby there are plenty of historic sites, wineries, breweries, and small towns for guests to explore during their stay.

THE TIDES INN | IRVINGTON

Coastal elegance meets small-town charm at this waterfront resort just an hour-and-a-half drive from Richmond on Virginia’s Northern Neck. Nearby nature preserves, quaint small towns, and pristine beaches make a wedding at The Tides Inn memorable. Guests can ride bikes to the nearby Dog & Oyster Vineyard, kayak in Carter’s Creek or shop along Irvington’s main drag. Celebrate your nuptials waterside on the croquet lawn or private beach with cocktail hour on the terrace and then dinner and dancing indoors with panoramic views of the marina. After your reception, keep the party going all night long with bonfire on the beach, complete with a gourmet s’mores spread and spiked coffee bar.

Perched high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Nelson County, this ski resort offers more than just a winter fun with outdoor activities like archery, golf and mountain biking. A short drive from the resort are a handful of wineries, cideries, breweries — even a distillery — for nearby fun. And, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, nature trails beckon for adventures. Guest suites in the Mountain Inn, condos, cozy houses, and rustic-chic nine-bedroom mansions are available for your guests to relax in during your weekend celebration. On your day of, exchange vows with your loved one with the mountains as your backdrop and celebrate with an elegant evening of dinner and dancing in the Commonwealth Ballroom.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG | WILLIAMSBURG

With the elegant Regency-style Williamsburg Inn, rustic Williamsburg Lodge, and adorable cottages nestled in the colonial village, your wedding guests have an array of unique accommodations (decorated in appropriate period style!) to choose from in this historic town. In the colonial part of the town, taverns, shops and reenactors offer a look into the past, while nearby art museums showcase period works, and outside the colonial area there are an array of indie boutiques and delightful eateries. At the inn or the neighboring lodge, a variety of gardens, terraces, ballrooms and banquet halls can house a range of wedding ceremonies and receptions.

THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT | HOT SPRINGS

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This remote resort near the West Virginia border is worth the journey. Surrounded by the rolling Allegheny Mountains and with the Jackson River and Lake Moomaw nearby, this neck of Virginia’s woods is heaven on Earth. Originally an 18-room hotel opened in 1766 and named for the “Homesteaders” who developed the area, the legendary Homestead is rich with history — from the Native Americans who used its healing warm springs to the resort housing former presidents and royalty. With 10 outdoor wedding sites and four ballrooms to choose from, you and your partner can tailor your wedding day to your unique needs. Arrive at the resort a few days early to float in the lazy river, enjoy an outdoor excursion or take a zip line tour. And on the day of, primp at the luxurious spa before your elegant celebration surrounded by your closest friends and family.

THE HOTEL ROANOKE | ROANOKE

Located in downtown Roanoke and surrounded by the mountains, Hotel Roanoke is an ideal venue for the couple who wants the amenities of a fun city along with access to the great outdoors. The historic Tudor-style hotel was carefully restored and expanded, now including 330 guest rooms, spa and fitness centers, along with a pub and fine dining restaurant. From ballroom to terrace, black-tie to causal, big bash to intimate, luncheon celebration to strolling dinner reception, Hotel Roanoke’s 63,000 square feet of events space offer plenty of options, and can accommodate up to 700 guests.

After a winding car ride through Southwest Virginia’s thick wilderness, you have arrived at Primland, situated high atop the Blue Ridge. With only a handful of cutesy towns and country stores nearby, Primland is a resort for the couple who is looking for a remote and peaceful wedding. With its “tree house” accommodations and stargazing facility, Primland offers one-of-a-kind accommodations and activities. Off-roading, geocaching, disc golf and hunting are available for the outdoor enthusiast, while inside the resort, a luxurious spa, fine dining and posh rooms offer a peaceful place to unwind.

If you hear the ocean calling for you wedding celebration, check into the Virginia Beach’s Oceanaire Resort Hotel, where you can soak up the sun and sip refreshing cocktails with friends and family. Say “I do” in Oceanaire’s Gannet Room with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop, and then celebrate with dinner and dancing in the 10th floor lounge and sundeck. With sprawling three-bedroom suites, four oceanfront pools, and access to the neighboring beach club and tiki bar, friends and family will want to come days in advance to enjoy Oceanaire’s beautiful beachside setting. Wedding guests can spend their days shopping on the boardwalk, paddling boarding on the ocean, or exploring Virginia Beach’s vibrant restaurant scene.

Did you have your dream wedding at a Virginia resort? Share your photos and experiences with us in the comments below! You can also tag us on Instagram (@VisitVirginia) using the hashtags #LOVEVA and #VAWeddings.